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Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) affects 2% to 5% of all pregnancies and is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Since PE has complex pathogenesis and treatment is still not found, effective methods for prediction and prevention of PE are still actively searched.

This research was undertaken to evaluate the influence of the extrusion process on the sorption behavior of deproteinized sunflower meal (DSM). A patterned food extrudate (PFE), prepared from a mixture of DSM and corn grits (1:1), was obtained, and the equilibrium isotherms of both products (DSM and PFE) were determined at three temperatures (20 °C, 30 °C, and 40 °C) by the static gravimetric method. The comparison of the sorption behavior of the products showed that extrusion decreased the equilibrium moisture content and the monolayer moisture, while the hysteresis effect was significantly raised in size and span. The experimental sorption isotherms were fitted by five modified models including the temperature effect: Chung–Pfost, Halsey, Oswin, Henderson, and GAB. The modified models of Oswin were established to be suitable to describe the equilibrium sorption isotherms in the temperature range from 20 °C to 40 °C. The net isosteric heat of sorption of DSM and PFE decreases consistently with the increase in moisture content. Extrusion reduces the bond energy between the solid matrix and the water molecules. The ranges of moisture content and relative humidities in the temperature interval studied, appropriate for long-term storage of DSM and PFE, were predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The equilibrium moisture contents (EMC) of deproteinized rapeseed meal (DRM) and model extrudate, prepared from DRM and corn grits (1:1), were determined at different temperatures (20°C, 30°C, and 40°C) and water activities (0.112 to 0.851) using the static gravimetric method. The model extrudate exhibited lower sorption capacity and significantly greater hysteresis loop than these of the DRM. Five models including the effect of the temperature were applied to analyze the experimental data. The modified models of Oswin and GAB were found suitable for describing the relationship between the equilibrium moisture content, the water activity, and the temperature. In the range of temperatures studied, the DRM and the extrudate were characterized by monolayer moisture at water activities of 0.10 and 0.16, respectively. For long‐term storage at 20°C, maintaining water activities from 0.10 to 0.60 and EMCs from 7.36% d.b to 17.09% d.b. for the DRM and water activities from 0.16 to 0.60 and EMCs from 6.43% d.b to 13.61% d.b. for the model extrudate were suggested. The study demonstrated the usability of the DRM for the production of a model extrudate suitable for long‐term storage. Practical applications: The European Union developed a concept for recycling waste and by‐products from food and agricultural industries and their reuse in innovative food products. In this regard, characterization and investigation of the potential application of deproteinized rapeseed meal (DRM), appearing as a waste of protein isolation from industrial rapeseed meal, was initiated. The implementation of DRM in new extruded products with functional characteristics and long‐term storage would be economically, socially, and environmentally significant. Knowledge of the sorption behavior of food products is essential for their microbiological and biochemical stability during storage. Data generated in this study could be valuable for designing technological and/or storage parameters that allow optimization of heat and mass transfer processes while working with these materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deproteinized sunflower meal (DSM) was obtained as waste from ethanol-treated sunflower meal after alkaline extraction of proteins. The study aimed at biochemically and functionally characterizing the material concerning its potential practical application and valuability. The DSM consisted mainly of proteins (19.88%) and dietary fibers (61.06%) the majority of which were insoluble (53.09%). Cellulose (30.87%) and lignin (21.79%) were the most contributing compounds to the total amount of dietary fibers. The DSM contained Fe (133.29 mg/kg), Zn (201.56 mg/kg), and Cu (31.87 mg/kg). The analyses defined the DSM as a fiber concentrate with relatively high thermal stability. The distraction of the material began at 170°С with a maximum speed at 277°С. The highest water absorption capacity (WAC) of the DSM was observed at pH 6 and 7 (approximately 8 g H2O/g sample) under all studied conditions including pH from 3 to 10 and three levels of NaCl concentrations (0.00 M, 0.03 M, and 0.25 M). At pH 7, increasing temperature from 20°C to 60°C increased the WAC of the DSM from 8.13 g H2O/g sample to 9.80 g H2O/g sample, respectively. Further increase in the temperature diminished the WAC of the DSM. At pH 6, the increase in temperature did not influence positively the WAC of the DSM. The study demonstrated the potential of the DSM, a waste obtained from the protein isolation process, as a valuable ingredient/additive in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Sunflower meal ethanol-wash solute (SEWS) was obtained as waste by pre-treatment of industrial sunflower meal, used as a material for protein isolation. The biochemical characterization and bioactive properties, established in the current study, turned it into a valuable product for the agriculture, food, and nutraceutical industries. Potential applicability of SEWS could lead to more complete utilization of sunflower meal and add value to the primary product of sunflower seed processing, namely sunflower oil. Industrial sunflower meal is rich in secondary metabolites, which negatively influence the quality and functional properties of respective protein isolates. To reduce their quantity, sunflower meal was subjected to a four-step treatment with 75% aqueous ethanol solution. The ethanol-wash liquids were collected, concentrated, and freeze-dried to prepare powdery sunflower meal ethanol-wash solute (SEWS). Otherwise considered waste from the main process of protein isolation, the SWES was turned into a novel product containing macrocomponents, microelements, and bioactive compounds. It was found to be rich in carbohydrates (62.14%), lipids (7.73%), and bioactive compounds such as phenols (16.38%) and flavonoids (4.41%). Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analyzes revealed prevalence of sucrose (14.01%), linoleic acid (12.10%), and chlorogenic acid (85.41%) based on total ion current (TIC) of polar, nonpolar, and phenolic compounds, respectively. The SEWS was found to be rich in microelements with iron (259.02 mg/kg) and copper (109.36 mg/kg) being the highest amounts. The product contained 0.10 mg/kg selenium. Scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals increased with the increase in SEWS concentrations and reached 52.3% and 69% for 0.05% SEWS when dissolved in water and 70% ethanol, respectively. The highest hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (52.4%) was achieved at 0.1% SEWS. For all studied concentrations (0.005% to 0.1%), the SEWS exhibited a higher inhibition capacity than mannitol, which was used as a positive control. The SEWS demonstrated inhibiting properties against Gram (+) Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens PM-YT and Fusarium moniliforme ATCC 38932 fungus. The obtained results outline the SEWS as a natural product with bioactive properties that might be useful in the agriculture, food, and nutraceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapeseed meal is a by-product of oil extraction which is generated in substantial amounts worldwide. The ethanol-wash solute (EWS) was prepared as a waste of protein isolate generation from industrial rapeseed meal after a 4-time treatment with a 75% aqueous ethanol solution. The ethanol-wash liquids were collected, vacuum concentrated and lyophilisied to prepare EWS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of three concentration levels (0.1, 0.3 and 0.5%) and temperature (20, 30, 40 and 50°C) on surface tension and EWS dissolution behaviour by using conductivity measurement. The EWS solubility in water was dependent on both concentration and temperature. For the all three concentrations, maximum conductivity was achieved at 50°C. For the lowest EWS concentration studied (0.1%), the rate constant of dissolution increased with the increase of the temperature reaching 0.1838 1/s at 50°C. The rate constants of the dissolution of 0.3 and 0.5% EWS though increased with the increase of temperature to 40°C followed by a sharp drop at 50°C. The addition of EWS decreased the surface tension of pure water at all three concentrations. The most profound effect was observed at 50°C where the surface tension of water (67.14 mN/m) was reduced 2-fold (33.92 mN/m) after adding 0.5% EWS. Acquired information is valuable by concerning formulation, fabrication process or final quality of products where the EWS is added as a supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapeseed meal was treated with 70% ethanol to reduce anti-nutrient compounds, and used in the preparation of a protein isolate. The ethanol-treated rapeseed meal protein isolate (ERPI) was produced by alkaline extraction of proteins (pH 12) followed by isoelectric precipitation at pH 4.5. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the potential of ERPI as an emulsifying agent in corn and olive oil-in-water emulsions under slightly acidic conditions (pH 6). A total of nine emulsions for each type of oil were prepared to assess the significant effect of two variables, oil (5, 10, and 15% w/w) and ERPI protein concentrations (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0% w/w), on emulsion stability. The initial stability was evaluated by Gibbs free energy (ΔG) and lipid particle size distribution, while the dynamics of emulsion stability was investigated along 7 d by turbidity measurement. The increase in concentration of both types of oil positively influenced initial stability of the emulsions as indicated by ΔG. At each oil concentration, the three ERPI supplementation levels resulted in significant differences in ΔG. While in all olive oil-in-water emulsions, the highest initial stability was achieved by the addition of 0.25% ERPI; and in corn oil-in-water emulsions, lower ΔG values were achieved by supplementing either with 0.5 or 1.0% ERPI. With a few exceptions, there was an agreement between Gibbs free energy and microstructural characteristics of the emulsions. With a reduction in turbidity not higher than 30% at day 7, all corn oil-in-water emulsions supplemented with 0.5% ERPI demonstrated a better stability than the emulsions prepared with olive oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapeseed meal is a by-product of oil production with relatively high antinutrient content which limits its application in both feed and food industries. A two-step procedure, including two-level full factorial and central composite designs, was used to assess the influence of five factors, namely pH (6 and 12), temperature (20 and 40°C), NaCl concentration (0 and 7.5%), rapeseed meal concentration (2.5 and 5%), and extraction longevity (15 and 60 min), on protein extraction from industrial rapeseed meal subjected to ethanol-assisted reduction of antinutrients. Data demonstrated that pH and its interaction with NaCl influenced protein extractability the most. While still significant, individual effects of NaCl, extraction longevity, temperature and its interaction with pH had a less significant effect on protein yield. Overall, higher protein yields were obtained in response to combining high pH values with low NaCl concentrations, and high pH values with high temperatures. The highest protein yield (59.56 ± 1.29%) was achieved after extraction of 5% ethanol-treated rapeseed meal at pH 12 with no NaCl addition, at 40°C and extraction longevity of 60 min. A second-order polynomial model for protein yield prediction was generated. The adequacy of the model was verified by coefficient of determination and residual analyses. A high correlation between experimentally obtained and predicted protein yields (R2 = 0.95) was established. Since extraction conditions are strong determinants of protein characteristics, the predictive model generated in the present work is useful for the selection of factor combinations, which allows for the achievement of optimal protein yield of a product with desired techno-functional properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapeseed meal is produced in large quantities as a by-product of vegetable oil production. To enhance the utility and profitability of the rapeseed meal, it was treated with ethanol and used for concomitant preparation of two protein-rich ingredients, namely protein isolate (PI) and acid soluble protein (ASP). Their functional properties were evaluated in response to two boundary concentrations of NaCl (0.03 and 0.25 mol/L) in a wide pH range (2 to 10). The PI exhibited the lowest protein solubility at isolectric point (pH 4.5) which increased both at lower and higher pH. In contrast, ASP exhibited high protein solubility (>70%) which was negligibly influenced by pH. The addition of 0.03 mol/L NaCl increased its protein solubility to almost 100% at acidic pH. The water holding capacity of PI was positively influenced by the addition of 0.25 mol/L NaCl. The ASP did not exhibit any capacity to hold water but demonstrated higher ability to absorb oil compared to the PI. Both ingredients exhibited different thermal stability in response to salt addition at pH 7 and 8. PI and ASP exhibited completely different pattern of emulsion stability as influenced by pH. While the stability of PI emulsions was close to 100% and only negligibly affected by pH, the ASP emulsion stability significantly varied in response to pH variation. The concomitant production of PI and ASP resulted in products with distinctive techno-functional properties, which makes them suitable for different applications as additives in the formulation of new food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bulgarian rose oil is widely recognised for its high quality and versatile application. Increasing prices and market demand for organic rose flowers and oil are stimulating factors influencing organic cultivation of oil-bearing rose in Bulgaria. However, further improvement of the sector is still necessary. Commercial rose cultivation is mainly based on Rosa damascena Mill. f. trigintipetala Dieck. (Kazanlak rose), which is not resistant to the main diseases and pests causing economic losses. Therefore, implementation of effective pest and disease control strategies under organic management practices is necessary to achieve high flower yields and oil quality. Disease resistance combined with proper genotype preservation and plant propagation to maintain the demanded traditional aroma and chemical composition of rose oil are the main challenges faced by Bulgarian rose producers. Socioeconomic factors influencing organic oil rose production in Bulgaria are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of industrial sunflower meal to produce protein-rich products for the food industry is an alternative approach for bett er and more efficient use of this agricultural by-product. Sunflower meal proteins possess specific functional properties, which however need improvement to broaden their potential as supplements for delivering high-quality products for human nutrition. The aim of the study is to evaluate the combined influence of low-degree pepsin hydrolysis and transglutaminase (TG) modification on industrial sunflower meal protein isolate functionality at pH=2 to 10. Three TG-modified pepsin hydrolysates with the degree of hydrolysis of 0.48, 0.71 and 1.72 % were produced and named TG-PH1, TG-PH2 and TG-PH3, respectively. All three TG-modified pepsin hydrolysates exhibited improved solubility at pH between 3.5 and 5.5 as the highest was observed of TG-PH3 at protein isoelectric point (pI=4.5). Sunflower meal protein isolate and TG-modified sunflower meal protein isolate had greater solubility than the three TG-modified hydrolysates at pH<3 and >7. Significant improvement of foam making capacity (p<0.05) was achieved with all three TG-modified pepsin hydrolysates in the entire pH area studied. Pepsin hydrolysis of the protein isolate with the three degrees of hydrolysis did not improve foam stability. Improved thermal stability was observed with TG-PH3 up to 80 °C compared to the protein isolate (pH=7). At 90 °C, TG modification of the protein isolate alone resulted in the highest thermal stability. Pepsin hydrolysis followed by a treatment with TG could be used to produce sunflower protein isolates with improved solubility, foam making capacity and thermal stability for use in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein-rich products, prepared from industrial rapeseed meal, have the potential for versatile applications in the food, feed, and nutraceutical industries. The aim of study was to characterize the biochemical composition of two protein-rich products obtained from industrially produced rapeseed meal. Protein isolate (PI) and acid soluble protein (ASP) were prepared by alkaline extraction (pH 12.0) followed by isoelectric precipitation (pH 4.5). Biochemical analyses revealed that PI contained a high protein amount (86.9%), while ASP had 28.8% protein and a relatively high level of non- protein compounds including ash (20.6%) and fiber (30.0%). Results showed that neither protein products contained glucosinolates. They were rich in microelements; the most abundant were Cu (64.3 mg kg-1) and Fe (133 mg kg-1) in PI and Mn (39.7 mg kg-1) and Zn (84.2 mg kg-1) in ASP. PI and ASP were also a good source of Se (1.1 mg kg-1 and 0.9 mg kg-1, respectively). Lysine was the most abundant essential amino acid in PI with amino acid score of 100.7% followed by leucine (98.3%) and valine (95.8%). Both protein products were mainly composed of low molecular weight fractions (5 to 33 kDa), but in different ratio. The PI contained two fractions with molecular weights 53 and 235 kDa which were not found in ASP. In conclusion, PI and ASP exhibited different biochemical characteristics which make them suitable for different applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic poultry is an alternative to conventional poultry which is rapidly developing as a response to customers' demand for better food and a cleaner environment. Although organic poultry manure can partially be utilized by organic horticultural producers, litter accumulation as well as excessive nitrogen still remains a challenge to maintain environment pureness, animal, and human health. Compared to conventional poultry, diet formulation without nitrogen overloading in organic poultry is even more complicated due to specific standards and regulations which limit the application of some supplements and imposes specific criteria to the ingredients in use. This is especially valid for methionine provision which supplementation as a crystalline form is only temporarily allowed. This review is focused on the utilization of various protein sources in the preparation of a diet composed of 100% organic ingredients which meet the avian physiology need for methionine, while avoiding protein overload. The potential to use unconventional protein sources such as invertebrates and microbial proteins to achieve optimal amino acid provision is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Methionine is an essential amino acid for animals and is typically considered one of the first limiting amino acids in animal feed formulations. Methionine deficiency or excess in animal diets can lead to sub-optimal animal performance and increased environmental pollution, which necessitates its accurate quantification and proper dosage in animal rations. Animal bioassays are the current industry standard to quantify methionine bioavailability. However, animal-based assays are not only time consuming, but expensive and are becoming more scrutinized by governmental regulations. In addition, a variety of artifacts can hinder the variability and time efficacy of these assays. Microbiological assays, which are based on a microbial response to external supplementation of a particular nutrient such as methionine, appear to be attractive potential alternatives to the already established standards. They are rapid and inexpensive in vitro assays which are characterized with relatively accurate and consistent estimation of digestible methionine in feeds and feed ingredients. The current review discusses the potential to develop Escherichia coli-based microbial biosensors for methionine bioavailability quantification. Methionine biosynthesis and regulation pathways are overviewed in relation to genetic manipulation required for the generation of a respective methionine auxotroph that could be practical for a routine bioassay. A prospective utilization of Escherichia coli methionine biosensor would allow for inexpensive and rapid methionine quantification and ultimately enable timely assessment of nutritional profiles of feedstuffs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In animal diets optimal amino acid quantities and balance among amino acids is of great nutritional importance. Essential amino acid deficiencies have negative impacts on animal physiology, most often expressed in sub-optimal body weight gains. Over supplementation of diets with amino acids is costly and can increase the nitrogen emissions from animals. Although in vivo animal assays for quantification of amino acid bioavailability are well established, Escherichia coli-based bioassays are viable potential alternatives in terms of accuracy, cost, and time input. E. coli inhabits the gastrointestinal tract and although more abundant in colon, a relatively high titer of E. coli can also be isolated from the small intestine, where primary absorption of amino acids and peptides occur. After feed proteins are digested, liberated amino acids and small peptides are assimilated by both the small intestine and E. coli. The similar pattern of uptake is a necessary prerequisite to establish E. coli cells as accurate amino acid biosensors. In fact, amino acid transporters in both intestinal and E. coli cells are stereospecific, delivering only the respective biological L-forms. The presence of free amino- and carboxyl groups is critical for amino acid and dipeptide transport in both biological subjects. Di-, tri- and tetrapeptides can enter enterocytes; likewise only di-, tri- and tetrapeptides support E. coli growth. These similarities in addition to the well known bacterial genetics make E. coli an optimal bioassay microorganism for the assessment of nutritionally available amino acids in feeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapeseed meal is a by-product of the oil-producing industry with a currently underestimated application. Two protein isolates, PI2.5–8.5 or PI10.5–2.5, were obtained from industrial rapeseed meal after treatment with an aqueous ethanol solution. The alkaline-extracted proteins were sequentially precipitated by two different modes, from pH 10.5 to 2.5, and vice versa, from 2.5 to 8.5, with a step of 1 pH unit. The preparation approach influenced both the functional and antioxidant properties of the isolates. The PI10.5–2.5 exhibited higher water and oil absorption capacities than PI2.5–8.5, reaching 2.68 g H2O/g sample and 2.36 g oil/g sample, respectively. The emulsion stability of the PI2.5–8.5, evaluated after heating at 80 °C, was either 100% or close to 100% for all pH values studied (from 2 to 10), except for pH 6 where it reached 93.87%. For the PI10.5–2.5, decreases in the emulsion stability were observed at pH 8 (85.71%) and pH 10 (53.15%). In the entire concentration range, the PI10.5–2.5 exhibited a higher scavenging ability on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radicals than PI2.5–8.5 as evaluated by DPPH and 2-deoxyribose assays, respectively. At the highest concentration studied, 1.0%, the neutralization of DPPH radicals by PI10.5–2 reached half of that exhibited by synthetic antioxidant butylhydroxytoluene (82.65%). At the same concentration, the inhibition of hydroxyl radicals by PI10.5–2 (71.25%) was close to that achieved by mannitol (75.62%), which was used as a positive control. Established antioxidant capacities add value to the protein isolates that can thus be used as both emulsifiers and antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to screen activity of citrus essential oil fractions (EOs) alone and in combination with organic acids against 2 species of Listeria. Five citrus EOs were initially screened by disc diffusion assay for antibacterial activity. Cold pressed terpeneless Valencia orange oil (CP terpeneless oil) had the strongest bacteriostatic (MIC) and bactericidal (MBC) properties at 0.55% and 1.67%, respectively. Four organic acids were tested for effectiveness against Listeria. Citric and malic acids proved to be the most effective with MBC of 1.1% alone. Assays were conducted to determine synergistic effects of EOs and citric or malic acids. There was a significant decrease in MIC and MBC to 0.04% EO plus 0.12% malic or citric acid. EOs from citrus paired with organic acids offer the potential as an all-natural antimicrobial for improving the safety of all-natural foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven citrus essential oils (EOs) were screened by disc diffusion assay for their antibacterial activity against 11 serotypes/strains of Salmonella. The 3 most active oils were selected to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against the same Salmonella. Orange terpenes, single-folded d-limonene, and orange essence terpenes all exhibited inhibitory activity against the Salmonella spp. on the disc diffusion assay. EOs were stabilized in broth by the addition of 0.15% (w/v) agar for performance of the MIC tests. Orange terpenes and d-limonene both had MICs of 1%. The most active compound, terpenes from orange essence, produced an MIC that ranged from 0.125% to 0.5% against the 11 Salmonella tested. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis revealed that this orange essence oil was composed principally of d-limonene, 94%, and myrcene at about 3%. EOs from citrus offer the potential for all natural antimicrobials for use in improving the safety of organic or all natural foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the importance of riboflavin in human diets, a rapid riboflavin assay is needed by the food industry to allow simultaneous determination of riboflavin in numerous food sources. The growth responses of Lactobacillus rhamnosus to microaerophilic conditions and three reducing agents were examined as an attempt to reduce riboflavin assay time. Ascorbic acid, dithiothreitol and thioglycollate were applied at three concentrations. None of the concentrations of reducing agents caused a further increase of bacterial optical density (OD) or had a significant effect on the growth rates. More optimal microaerophilic conditions were achieved through the use of an anaerobic chamber. The growth rate of L. rhamnosus under microaerophilic conditions (0.30 ± 0.05/h) was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the growth rate of the bacteria under aerobic conditions (0.34 ± 0.07/h). However, after 14 h of bacterial growth, the OD of the bacterial culture under anaerobic hood incubation (0.71 ± 0.09) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than under aerobic incubation conditions (0.58 ± 0.05). Additional research is needed involving more controlled atmospheres for incubation during growth and a wider range of reductants to optimize and shorten the time required for riboflavin microtiter plate assay. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Quantifying riboflavin in foods and food ingredients is important to the food industry. Lactobacillus rhamnosus growth response to varying levels of riboflavin is used to estimate the amount of this vitamin. In an effort to optimize growth on microtiter plates and decrease assay time, microaerophilic conditions were examined. Although rate of growth was not altered, cell concentration measured as optical density (OD) did increase. Microaerophilic incubation of microtiter plates represents a potential approach to decrease assay time and provide the food industry with more timely results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solubility of plant protein isolates is a key determinant of their potential application. Two protein isolates (PI) from ethanol-treated industrial rapeseed meal, PI10.5–2.5 and PI2.5–8.5, were prepared by sequential isoelectric precipitation of alkali-extracted proteins (pH 12) starting from pH 10.5 to 2.5 or from pH 2.5 to 8.5, respectively. Biochemical analyses revealed that PI2.5–8.5 contained a higher amount of crude protein (72.84%) than PI10.5–2.5 (68.67%). In the same protein isolate, the level of total phenols (0.71%) was almost two-fold higher than that in PI10.5–2.5 (0.42%). No glucosinolates were established in both protein isolates. SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that PI10.5–2.5 contained 10 to 15 kDa protein fractions in a relatively higher amount, while PI2.5–8.5 was enriched in 18 to 29 kDa protein fractions. PI10.5–2.5 exhibited high solubility, varying from 41.74% at pH 4.5 to 65.13% at pH 6.5, while PI2.5–8.5 was almost two-fold less soluble under the same conditions. Up to pH 5.5, the addition of NaCl at 0.03 and 0.25 M diminished the solubility of PI2.5–8.5, while the solubility of PI10.5–2.5 was increased. The supplementation of PI10.5–2.5 with 0.25 M NaCl enhanced the protein solubility to 56.11% at pH 4.5 and 94.26% at pH 6.5. The addition of 0.03 M NaCl also increased the solubility of this protein isolate but to a lower extent. Overall, the approach for sequential precipitation of proteins influenced the biochemical characteristics, protein fractional profile and solubility of prepared protein isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella is a foodborne pathogen causing severe gastroenteritis. Three types of Maillard reaction products (MRP) generated by heat sterilization of D-glucose and L-lysine, L-histidine, and L-arginine were studied at 2 different levels of supplementation (0.5% and 1.0%) for their influence on growth and virulence of Salmonella. Two methods, namely, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and a β-galactosidase gene fusion assay, were used to determine the expression of hilA, a regulatory gene for Salmonella pathogenicity. Neither the type of MRP nor their quantities up to 1.0% affected the growth rates of S. Typhimurium EE658 ( P > 0.05). When determined by β-galactosidase assay, lysine MRP in both levels of supplementation were not found to have any effect on the hilA expression compared to the control. The addition of histidine and arginine MRP to M9 media (0.5%) increased by 2-fold hilA induction and up to 6-fold at the higher level (1%) supplementation of these compounds. Although somewhat inconsistent, RT-PCR analyses of hilA expression confirmed the greater induction effect of arginine MRP on hilA compared to lysine MRP. In contrast to β-galactosidase assay results, however, lysine MRP were found to increase hilA expression compared to the control in both supplementation levels in all trials. The potential of MRP serving as a bacterial virulence modulator may be a factor to be considered in food thermal processing when assessing Salmonella risk for causing foodborne disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distance education courses have become popular due to the increased number of commuter students as well as people already in the workforce who need further education for advancement within their careers. A graduate-level Web-based course entitled Special Topics—Poultry Food Safety Microbiology was developed from an existing senior undergraduate advanced food microbiology course in the Poultry Science Department at Texas A&M University. Conversion of standard lecture material into a distance education course can provide unique challenges to maintain comparable course content in an asynchronous manner. The overall objective for this course was to examine bacterial activities including ecology in food, animals, raw and processed meat, eggs, and human pathogenesis. Students were surveyed at the end of the class and the majority agreed that they would be willing to take the course as an online course, although they were not willing to pay an extra fee for an online course. The majority of students used the online version of the course as a supplement to the classroom rather than as a substitute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella virulence is influenced by a combination of environmental stimuli including different levels of pH, oxygen availability and osmolarity and involves a coordinated genetic response. The expression of hilA in Salmonella Typhimurium, considered a key regulator of the bacterial virulence, was determined as relative to the expression of the endogenous control gene rsmC using the comparative Ct (ΔΔCt) real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Enhanced osmolarity (total of 2% NaCl) significantly increased hilA expression in cells grown at pH 8 but not at pH 6. The determination of hilA expression in bacterial cells under oxygen limitation, for all experiments, resulted in approximately twofold higher levels compared to agitated cells. The effect was more pronounced when static incubation was combined with complete removal of NaCl. Overall results support that while oxygen limitation can trigger S. Typhimurium virulence, the effect may be enhanced by other extremes for S. Typhimurium growth. By using RT-PCR, S. Typhimurium virulence gene expression can be quantified directly and more rapidly under a wide variety of environmental and laboratory conditions. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Salmonella Typhimurium pathogenicity is influenced by various factors. Historically, hilA expression which is a key regulator of bacterial virulence has been determined by colorimetric β-galactosidase assay. The method, however, requires a preconstruction of an appropriate gene fusion and is limited by its sensitivity. This study demonstrated the utility of quantitative RT-PCR method in determining virulence gene expression under a variety of laboratory conditions. The results confirmed oxygen limitation as a potential stimulant of S. Typhimurium hilA expression, which can also be triggered by other extremes for the bacteria growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of combining a prebiotic with alfalfa on fermentation by laying hen cecal bacteria. Cecal contents from laying hens were diluted to a 1:3,000 concentration with an anaerobic dilution solution and added to serum tubes filled with ground alfalfa or a layer ration with or without fructooligosaccharide (FOS) prebiotic. Samples were processed in an anaerobic hood, pressurized by using a pressure manifold, and incubated at 37°C. Volatile fatty acid (VFA) and lactic acid concentrations were quantified at 6 and 24 h of substrate fermentation. In this study, fermentation of alfalfa resulted in greater production of acetate, VFA, and lactic acid compared with the layer ration. Although with a relative inconsistency in data between trials, the amendment of FOS to both alfalfa and the layer ration appeared to further increase fermentation as demonstrated by overall higher propionate, butyrate, VFA, and lactic acid concentrations. The effect was more pronounced after 24 h of fermentation, implying time constraints for the optimal production of fermentation products in the chicken gastrointestinal tract. These data indicate that in vitro cecal fermentation can be enhanced by the addition of FOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molting is a natural process, which birds undergo to rejuvenate their reproductive organs. The US poultry egg production industry has used feed withdrawal to effectively induce molt; however, susceptibility of Salmonella Enteritidis has encouraged the development of alternative methods. Previous research conducted in our laboratory showed that alfalfa is effective at molt induction and provides equivalent postmolt production numbers and quality when compared with feed withdrawal. In the attempt to further increase the efficacy of alfalfa molt diet and decrease the chicken susceptibility to Salmonella Enteritidis during molt, fructooligosaccharide (FOS) was added to a combination of 90% alfalfa and 10% layer ration in 2 levels (0.750 and 0.375%). Ovary and liver colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis in 3 and 2 of the 4 trials, respectively, were reduced (P ≤ 0.05) in hens fed FOS-containing diets compared with hens subjected to feed withdrawal. Significant decreases in cecal Salmonella Enteritidis counts were also observed in 2 of the 4 trials. In 3 of the 4 trials, the same diets did not affect (P > 0.05) the production of cecal total volatile fatty acids when compared with hens undergoing feed withdrawal. However, in all 3 alfalfa molt diets, the concentrations of lactic acid were greater (P ≤ 0.05) than hens with feed withdrawal, but no differences (P > 0.05) were observed among hens fed alfalfa combined with FOS and hens fed alfalfa/layer ration without FOS. Overall, given the similarities between hens fed 0.750% FOS (H) and 0.375% FOS (L), molt diets combined with the lower level of FOS should be sufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]